A 29-year-old engineer has died after being denied emergency care at three major hospitals in Accra following a hit-and-run crash at the Nkrumah Circle Overpass, raising serious concerns about emergency response and hospital admission procedures.
The victim, later identified as Charles Amissah, an employee of Promasidor Ghana Limited, was left in an ambulance for nearly three hours on Friday, February 6, 2026, as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from the National Ambulance Service struggled to secure hospital admission for him.
Swift Ambulance Response
According to a situational report (SITREP) sighted by Graphic Online, the ambulance service received a walk-in distress call at 10:32 p.m. about a road traffic crash at the Circle Overpass.
The crew mobilised within a minute and arrived at the scene by 10:35 p.m., where they found Amissah lying supine on the road with profuse bleeding from a deep shoulder laceration after what was described as a hit-and-run incident.
Initial assessment showed:
Blood Pressure: 120/90 mmHg
Pulse: 100 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 25 bpm
Oxygen Saturation: 99%
Temperature: 36.4°C
EMTs controlled the bleeding, applied a cervical collar, secured him onto a spine board and initiated oxygen therapy at four litres per minute. His vital signs were monitored every five minutes.
Turned Away by Three Hospitals
At 10:40 p.m., the ambulance departed for the Police Hospital, arriving three minutes later. The facility reportedly declined admission, citing the unavailability of beds. The EMT crew offered to use the ambulance trolley while awaiting space, but staff indicated there was no room within the facility.
The crew then transported the patient to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), where he was again turned away for the same reason.
At about 11:20 p.m., the ambulance arrived at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. According to the SITREP, staff there also declined admission and advised the crew to continue to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
However, the EMT team objected, explaining that the patient’s condition was deteriorating and that further transportation could endanger his life. Despite more than 30 minutes of negotiations, no hospital staff attended to the patient, nor were fresh vital signs taken at any of the three facilities, the report stated.
Cardiac Arrest in Ambulance
While still at Korle Bu, Amissah went into cardiac arrest. The ambulance crew immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but efforts proved unsuccessful.
He was later pronounced dead by a doctor on duty at Korle Bu, who instructed the crew to convey the body to the mortuary. The ambulance departed at 12:50 a.m., handing over the body shortly before 1:00 a.m.
The crew returned to base at 2:33 a.m., bringing to an end a nearly four-hour ordeal.
Family Learns of Death Days Later
Amissah’s family, who live in Adenta, were unaware of the incident that night. When he failed to return home, they reported him missing at the Adenta Police Station and circulated information on social media seeking help to locate him.
Last seen 6th February 2026 at Santa Maria on a red motorcycle wearing a red round neck shirt, jam-suit trousers and red shoes,” read a poster shared online.
It was not until Monday, February 9, that the family received a call from the Nima Police Station directing them to Korle Bu. Upon arrival at the mortuary, they confirmed that the unidentified crash victim was their 29-year-old relative — despite earlier indications that the deceased was believed to be a 48-year-old man.
Speaking to Graphic Online, Amissah’s sister said he had recently purchased the motorcycle to ease his commute between Adenta and the North Industrial Area, where he worked.
Growing Questions
The circumstances surrounding Amissah’s death have sparked public concern over emergency admission protocols and the obligation of health facilities to provide immediate stabilisation care, particularly in life-threatening situations.
As investigations continue, the case is likely to intensify scrutiny of emergency healthcare access in the capital, especially regarding the handling of trauma victims and the interpretation of “no bed” situations in critical care scenarios
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